History of the first 13 Colonies and the lives of famous Colonial people

The colonization of America and interesting facts about the life of John Jay, a Founding Father of the USA

Short Biography about John JayThis article contains a short biography and fast facts and information about John Jay. Who was John Jay and why was he famous? John Jay (1745–1829) came to prominence as an American statesman and the first Chief Justice of the United States. He is best known as a Patriot and a Founding Father of the USA.

Facts about John JayThe following facts about John Jay provide interesting facts and an overview and description of the life and times and his involvement in creating the United States of America.

Facts about John Jay

John Jay Fact 1

John was born on December 12, 1745 in New York

John Jay Fact 2

John was the son of Peter Jay who was a wealthy trader and merchant and John's mother was Mary Van Cortlandt

John Jay Fact 3

He had ten siblings, seven of whom survived childhood

John Jay Fact 4

John was privately educated by a series of home tutors and then attended King's College in New York City, which is now Columbia University, where he made some highly influentional friends

John Jay Fact 5

He was a revolutionary sympathizer at first a moderate, and then an ardent Patriot

John Jay Fact 6

He read law and established a law practice

John Jay Fact 7

He married Sarah Livingston, the daughter of a prominent family of Scottish descent on 28 April 1774 and they had six children

John Jay Fact 8

1776: The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, by the congressional representatives of the 13 Colonies of Colonial America. John Jay was not a prominent political figure during the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and was not a signatory of this famous document. (John Jay did not sign the Declaration of Independence, he was considered a Founding Father due to his role in framing the Constitution)

John Jay Fact 9

Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation were started in mid 1776 and completed in 1781. On March 4, 1789, the Articles were replaced with the U.S. Constitution

John Jay - Founding Father of the United States of AmericaHe was one of the seven, key political leaders and statesmen who became a Founding Father of the United States of America. The seven key Founding Fathers were George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The seven key "Founding Fathers" were either the "Signers of the Declaration of Independence" or the "Framers of the Constitution". John Jay did not sign the Declaration of Independence, he was considered a Founding Father due to his role in framing the Constitution.

Facts about John Jay

John Jay Fact 11

In 1777 he guided the drafting of the first New York state constitution. In the same year he was appointed chief justice of New York but left that post in December 1778 to take up the position of president of the Continental Congress.

John Jay Fact 12

He was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs, a post he held from 1784–1789

John Jay Fact 13

He contributed five papers to The Federalist, dealing chiefly with the Constitution in relation to foreign affairs

John Jay Fact 14

He then became the first Chief Justice of the United States and served in the position 1789 - 1795

John Jay Fact 15

The Jay Treaty: In early 1793 France and Britain went to war and to avoid any involvement with the conflict George Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate with the British. Alexander Hamilton largely wrote Jay's instructions and the result was the Jay Treaty.

John Jay Fact 16

He was elected governor of New York and served in the role from 1795 - 1801)

John Jay Fact 17

In 1787, he entered public life again constructed a draft for the Constitution and served another term in the Continental Congress. He spear-headed the resolve to alter the Articles of Confederation.

John Jay Fact 18

John Jay retired to his farm at Bedford in Westchester County for the remaining 28 years of his life.

John Jay Fact 19

On the night of May 14, 1829, Jay was stricken with palsy, probably caused by a stroke.

JohnJay Fact 20

He died three days later in Bedford, New York, on May 17 1829

Facts about John Jay

John Jay

The life and biography of John Jay is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the life of this famous man who played a major role in the American Revolutionary War. The facts include the major events in his life together with important dates and details of his family.